Rookie Jonathan Ericsson steps right in on D

You could hardly blame him. It's not every day a former ninth-round draft pick finds himself skating alongside not only a fellow countryman, but one who just so happens to be the best defenseman on the planet.

"I was fortunate to play with him my first year in training camp," Ericsson said on Saturday, roughly 12 hours after helping the Red Wings earn a 3-2 victory against the Anaheim Ducks in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. "I think at that time, it was even bigger. I had never met Nick before. When you meet your friends back home (in Sweden), that's when you really stop and think about it."

Ericsson was moved into the coveted role as Lidstrom's defense partner for Game 1 after the Wings learned that Brian Rafalski would be out with an upper-body injury. The 6-foot-5, 205-pounder did not look out of place and played a solid physical game -– including a fight with Corey Perry in the second period. Not bad for someone who spent most of the regular season with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins.

The two will be paired again for Game 2 on Sunday, as Rafalski has already been ruled out.

"I thought he stood up for himself and he stood up for his teammates," said Lidstrom, a six-time Norris Trophy winner and a finalist again this season. "We don't want him to fight … we want him to be out there killing penalties and playing a lot of minutes. But he showed that he can stand up for himself. He's a feisty player."

Lidstrom was arguably the biggest reason for Detroit's victory on Friday night, as he scored a pair of goals. His game-winner came with just 49.1 seconds left in regulation.

"He's always in the right position. He always gives you really good support. He never leaves you alone back there. He always talks to you. It's very easy to play with a guy like Nick." -- Jonathan Ericsson on Nicklas Lidstrom

Ericsson –- who appeared in just 19 regular-season games for Detroit -- was asked what he thinks makes Lidstrom so great.

"He's always in the right position," Ericsson gushed. "He always gives you really good support. He never leaves you alone back there. He always talks to you. It's very easy to play with a guy like Nick."

And when Lidstrom's talking, Ericsson makes sure he's listening. Unless Ericsson has a question, the 25-year-old doesn't have much to say.

"If I'm talking, it's questions for him," Ericsson joked.

Lidstrom and Ericsson had the task of containing Anaheim's top line of Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan in Game 1 -- and were successful for the most part. Perry scored an even-strength goal in the first period, but Teemu Selanne's goal in the second came during a 4-on-3 power play.

"He's a big man and he played well against that top line," Lidstrom said. "He's good at skating and moving the puck. We're very happy with the way he played. He had a lot of poise."